NZ249861A

NZ249861A - Automatic vehicle refuelling controller

Info

Publication number: NZ249861A
Application number: NZ249861A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Sicco Dwars; Caspar Verhaagen; Ouwerkerk Cornelis Van
Original assignee: Shell Int Research
Priority date: 1992-03-19
Filing date: 1993-03-17
Publication date: 1995-11-27
Also published as: DE69305332D1; ATE143913T1; CA2132214A1; DK0636105T3; EP0636105A1; AU3750893A; CA2132214C; JPH07504872A; DE69305332T2; ZA931895B; WO1993019004A1; BR9306108A; EP0636105B1; AU668923B2; US5383500A

Abstract

A system for control of automatic refueling of automotive vehicles parked alongside a fuel dispenser unit which allows for a customer to control a refueling procedure without having to exit the vehicle. The control system includes a processing unit, control operating units, operating units and a communications system which is located within the vehicle to be refueled. The communications system has the capability to start, monitor and finish the refueling procedure by transmitting and receiving data signals which concern the refueling procedure such as signals which start the refueling procedure and signals which interrupt the procedure. The data signals are received by the from the vehicle into the processing unit where the signals are processed. The processed data signals are directed to control operating units. The control operating units then direct operating units in carrying out operating functions which are necessary to automatically refuel the vehicle.

Description

New Zealand No. international No. 1 249861 TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION Priority dates: • "?> • International filing date; \~\- i> Classification: s>S"los; Go5e,i3\ ca, et=oo'5)5'lo-2_ Publication date: 2 7 N0V 1995 Journal No.: 3> NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of invention: Automatic refuelling system Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, NL - 259 6 HR The Hague, the Netherlandst q ccyvipan^ of -rfne. 249 As a further consequence several data providing and data communications links are employed, hereby complicating signal communication processing. Accordingly separate driver actions and respective detection operations need to be connected to unified data signals for being processed by the processing unit. Thus, separate signal pick up and signal link interruptions are possible failure sources.

It is therefore an object of the invention to obtain a fully integrated system for control of automatic refuelling automotive vehicles in that simultaneously full control on the refuelling procedure from inside the vehicle is maintained.

It is a further object of the invention to obtain a system wherein the way of operating, i.e. the way of starting, monitoring, and finishing a refuelling procedure, is simplified substantially.

It is yet a further object of the invention to obtain a system for automatic refuelling automotive vehicles wherein the active client's interaction can be reduced to a "single push on button" operation.

It is another object of the invention to obtain such a system wherein the number of communication links is reduced substantially.

To this end the system for control of automatic refuelling an automotive vehicle parked alongside a fuel dispenser unit according to the present invention comprises (a) communication means which communication means include means for operating the communication means arranged in the automotive vehicle and an electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver arranged on the automotive vehicle, and an electronic circuitry which is connected to the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver, which electronic circuitry holds data including fuel pipe and fuel cap position data; and (b) at the fuel dispenser unit, a processing unit, an electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver connected to the processing unit, operating control units connected to the processing unit for controlling fuel supply operating units and for vehicle position determination, fill pipe and fuel cap position 2498 determination, and a couple of electromagnetic wave receivers connected to the operating control unit for the vehicle position determination, wherein when the communication means is activated the 5 electromagnetic waves emitted by the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver on the automotive vehicle are received by both the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver and the couple of electromagnetic wave receivers of the fuel dispenser unit.

The fuel pipe and fuel cap position data comprise data on the 10 position of the fuel pipe and the fuel cap relative to the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver on the automotive vehicle.

In a further embodiment of the invention said communication means is operated continuously thereby enabling advantageously unexpected situations, for example as to the customer's health, 15 being monitored closely.

Advantageously said communication means is communicating refuelling procedure data, for example as to the amount of fuel to be supplied, or the money equivalent for which fuel is desired.

In accordance with the invention the means for operating the 20 communication means is a vehicle control means. In a further embodiment of the invention the vehicle control means comprise at least one pedal operated for starting, respectively finishing, said refuelling procedure by pressing, respectively releasing, said pedal, or at least one key of an in-car terminal. Furthermore 25 combinations of the above operating devices are comprised in the present invention.

Electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver means arranged on the automotive vehicle and on said fuel dispenser unit are comprised. More in particular the transmitter/receiver means at the vehicle 30 side are comprised in a rear light unit. In particular transmitters and receivers for infra-red light waves are employed.

In accordance with the invention the above data comprise first and second data signals concerning respectively fuel fill pipe data, cap position data, fuel type data, and cap lock data, and customer 35 identification data and customer bank account data. 2498 _ 4 - The present invention will now be described by way of example in more detail by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein, Figure 1 shows a block scheme of the system of the present invention only presented in most generalised form, 5 Figure 2 shows a block scheme of the system in accordance with the present invention presenting in more detail communication links between customer-operated communication means and control units for controlling fuel supply operating units, Figure 3 shows in more detail an embodiment of the 10 communication means in accordance with the invention, and Figure 4 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of an operating sequence to be effected by the system of the invention.

Although the following description and appending claims are addressing refuelling vehicles or cars, clearly also other types of 15 vehicles to be refuelled, refilled, or reloaded, are comprised, such as there are trucks, airplanes, ships and trains.

In Figure 1 a block scheme of the system of the present invention, only presented in most generalised form, is shown. In said Figure 1 a communication means 1 has signal links la, lb, 20 respectively to and from a processing unit 2, which has further communication links 2a, 2b, respectively to and from operating control units 3.

More in detail said communication means 1 comprises all the elements necessary for communication of data concerning a refuelling 25 procedure to a processing unit. In accordance with the invention said communication means, which is arranged within the vehicle to be refuelled, comprise an in-car operation device, or a plurality of in-car operation devices, being the only car-side means for operating the communication means.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention said communication means comprise a vehicle control means as a means for operating the communication means, for example a vehicle pedal, while being operated, generating an electric signal to a rear light unit which houses electronic circuitry holding data concerning the 35 vehicle to be refuelled and the customer requiring the refuelling 2*98 ;- 5 - ;procedure; the circuitry is connected to an electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver in the form of a light emitting diode for transmission of electromagnetic waves in the form of infra-red light signals to an electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver in the form 5 of at least one transmitter and receiver for infra-red light waves at the computer side of said links. Conventionally said electronic circuitry comprises a "custom-integrated circuit", i.e. a chip which has been adapted for a specific sequence of operations. In the present case the circuitry is adapted for transmitting and receiving 10 specifically coded data signals. ;It will be clear that communication linkage can be effected also by other types of electromagnetic waves employing corresponding transmitter/receiver combinations, consequently necessitating suitable transmitter/receiver devices. ;15 The processing unit 2, comprising well known memory units, and an arithmetic and logic unit, processes the above signals after having been converted to processing unit 2 matched signals. In particular said signals are directed via links 2a, 2b to respective operating control units 3 comprising units for vehicle position 20 determination, fill pipe and fuel cap position determination, fuel type determination, and customer or client identification. Generally the processing unit 2 and operating control units 3 are comprised in one housing, for example arranged within the main refuelling station building and functioning as a central computer. From this computer, 25 circuitry is connected to different operating units, such as there are robot arm devices, fuel supply devices, and communication means as far as the computer side is involved. ;In further embodiments the car-side part of said communication means comprises more sophisticated operation devices like in-car 30 terminals comprising key-board means and display means, thus capable to be employed for much more advanced use. Also combinations of the above-mentioned in-car communication means embodiments are comprised in the present invention. ;In Figure 2 a block scheme of the system in accordance with the 35 invention is shown, presenting in more detail communication links ;249 8 ;- 6 - ;between customer operated communication means and specific control units for controlling corresponding fuel supply operating units. ;Analogous to Figure 1 communication means 10, a processing unit 20, and operating control units 31 to 36 are shown, the operating control units 31 to 36 being linked either to said processing unit 20 or between each other by means of links 31a,b to 36a,b. ;Further to the above units a communication link interface 11 is shown, respectively linked to said communication means 10 through communication links 10a,b and to the processing unit 20 through links 11a,b. ;The communication links, both as shown as to Figure 1 and as to Figure 2 are employed for signals including data with respect to the refuelling procedure to be carried out. More in detail, said data signals comprise first data signals, concerning said vehicle, for example fill pipe and fuel cap position data, fuel type data, and cap lock data, and second data signals relating to the customer, for example customer identification data and customer bank account data. After having been received at the computer side of the control system said data signals are processed and converted to control data signals for the above said operating units which will be explained hereinafter for the respective data, in particular with respect to Figure 4. ;With reference to Figure 3 the above said communication link interface 11 is represented in more detail for an embodiment of the present invention. ;As mentioned above the customer in his vehicle, after having parked his vehicle alongside a fuel dispenser unit, shall request for a refuelling procedure by operating the car-side communication operating means, thereby energizing the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver in the form of a light emitting diode arranged within the rear light unit as mentioned above, the light emitting diode being represented in Figure 3 by reference number 12. The electromagnetic waves in the form of infra-red signals 12a comprising the first and second data, said signals being coded to a suitable form, are transmitted from said rear light and are received ;249 86 ;- 7 - ;by an electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver in the form of a transmitter and receiver 13 for infra-red light waves. ;The transmitter and receiver for infra-red light waves 13 converts and forwards the first and second data signals in order to 5 be processed in the processing unit 20. ;Both determination of the position of the rear light unit and forwarding the data coded is enabled by the transmitter and receiver for infra-red light waves. ;The electromagnetic waves from the rear light light emitting 10 diode 12 as such are projected upon at least a couple of electromagnetic wave receivers in the form of imaging devices (not shown), in particular a couple of imaging devices, in order to obtain its three-dimensional position in a suitable coordinate frame. Conveniently a couple of well-known charge coupled devices 15 cameras is employed. Thus a couple of image signals is generated. ;Besides the infra-red signals comprising the data coded are received, converted and forwarded by means of suitable semiconductor infra-red receiver devices such as there are Si-receiver devices well known in the art. For those skilled in the art it will 20 be clear that said devices are matched to circuitry for conducting the signals to the processing unit. ;More in detail as to the determination of the above three-dimensional position the couple of electromagnetic wave receivers in the form of the cameras mentioned watch an area nearby the fuel 25 dispenser unit within which vehicle rear lights may be expected. The infra-red light transmitted by such rear light light emitting diodes is modulated in such a way that it coincides with camera scan frequencies. An image processing system which is coupled to said cameras distinguishes the blinking light emitting diode from the 30 surroundings by using successively well-known optical filtering, ;image subtraction and centre of gravity calculation techniques. ;In the next step the respective images, i.e. the centres of gravity, have to be combined to a three-dimensional position of the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver on^Jj^jiutomotive vehicle ;Nr\ ;35 in the form of the rear light light emit,t?ii¥er diode*^^oordinate / \ 2 0 SEP 1995 249 8 frame which includes the dispenser unit and which will be employed for the further refuelling procedure, in particular enabling a robot arm being moved to and being positioned adjacent to the fuel cap concerned.

Among the plurality of well-known position determination techniques the methods of triangulation (using the well-defined camera positions) or perspective transformation (using an image plane transfer matrix) have appeared advantageous. More in detail said transformation conventionally employs further reference points, 10 for example reference light emitting diodes, which are also projected.

For those skilled in the art it will be clear that in the case of employing said two cameras at least one two-dimensional image has to be formed. As a consequence other combinations will be clear, for 15 example three one-dimensional images generated correspondingly by means of three imaging devices.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention means are provided for generating gauge signals to be combined with the above image signals. For example an additional light emitting diode on 20 said dispenser unit will enable continuous monitoring of the operation performance of the above cameras.

In yet a further embodiment, the colour and/or blinking frequency of existing visible rear light indicators are employed as the 3D position reference point or as a second reference point for 25 car and fuel cap position measurement as explained above.

In Figure 2 a position determination means 31 receives the above said image signals 11a via the processing unit 20, and, after determination of the position, data signals generated are supplied via a signal link 31b to a memory unit of the processing unit 20 for 30 being used in the further refuelling procedure.

In the following on the contrary the signal forms representing coded data as mentioned above are of interest as well. The data signals coded in digital form are received by well known receiver means and processed in operating control units to identification 35 control data, bank account control data, fill pipe and fuel cap 249 position relative to the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver on the automotive vehicle, cap lock control data and fuel type control data. In Figure 2 the respective blocks represent respective processing units for obtaining the above data signals, i.e. block 32 for the customer relating data, block 33 for the fuel type data and block 34 for cap relating data.

More in detail it will be clear that customer relating control data are generated as to identification and bank account to satisfy requirements imposed by the supplier. Consequently the processing unit will have connections with data banks concerning said customer data. So, if the requirements cannot be satisfied the procedure will be aborted.

The same can be said about the vehicle data. For example, if the fuel cap involved cannot be opened by means of the respective operating unit for unlocking the cap, the procedure will be aborted also.

After approval of the data in order to start the fuel supply step the generated control data are read from the respective memory units and combined to a combined data acceptance signal by means of the processing unit. Said signal includes combination of data on the position of the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver on the automotive vehicle in the form of the light emitting diode in the rear light and fuel cap position data in order to obtain cap position control data.

Said combined data acceptance signal is sent to a robot arm control unit 35 via a link 35a in order to enable a robot arm to carry out the fuel supply step.

Subsequently the robot arm will be moved to and connected with a fuel supply gate delivering the type of fuel requested. After having been connected the robot arm is moved to the fuel cap. The fuel cap is opened by means of an unlocking device built in the nozzle end of the robot arm.

In a further advantageous embodiment a two-step unlocking operating is carried out, a first step for opening an outer cap hinged and urged by a spring to its opened or closed position, and a O TO < 2 0 SEP 1995 249 8 second step for opening a mechanically or electromagnetically locked outer end of a vehicle tank fill pipe inlet. It will be clear that also said two-step arrangement data are comprised in the coded first data.

Thereafter a robot arm nozzle is inserted into said fill pipe, the position of which was also comprised in the coded data and fuel supply is started. In particular said fill pipe position data include the fill pipe position relative to the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver on the automotive vehicle, and fill pipe inlet 10 direction relative to the cap position.

In a further embodiment of the present invention further light emitting diodes on the robot arm nozzle will enable robot arm position and orientation control. Thus accurate positioning of the robot arm is obtained; moreover mechanically flexible robot 15 constructions such as advanced robot hands can be applied.

Furthermore, it is noticed that the light emitting diodes arranged upon the robot arm can be used as the reference points as discussed above with respect to the position determination method.

For finishing the fuel supply step some alternatives exist. 20 Referring again to Figure 2, in the one a sensor 36 arranged upon said robot arm nozzle and activated during refuelling by a signal link 36a detects that the tank has been filled up, and generates a detection signal 36b which is directed to the processing unit 20 which in turn continues data processing in that said robot arm will 25 be moved back to its starting position. In the other, dependent on the facilities arranged in the vehicle having been handled, an interruption signal for finishing the fuel supply step is generated by the customer, and subsequently transmitted to the processing unit, processed by the processing unit, and sent to the robot 30 control unit 35 to stop the fuel supply step. According to said control signal the robot arm is moved back to its starting position. In both alternatives a reversed fuel cap handling procedure is followed.

As a last event in finishing said refuelling procedure the 35 customer has to be informed that he is ready for departure. Again 249 8®! dependent on the facilities present in the vehicle, in the one on a display of the in-car terminal the above information is presented, whereas in the other for example a light signal or an acoustic signal is observed by the customer.

Now referring to Figure 4 a flow chart of an embodiment of an operating sequence to be effected by the system of the invention is shown.

In said Figure 4 steps (a) to (k) are distinguished. Said steps mainly correspond with the handlings carried out by the system as 10 explained above.

In step (a) the start is presented. The customer has to start the procedure as mentioned above after having parked his vehicle alongside the fuel dispenser unit. Besides the above in a further embodiment a parking detecting and parking control procedure can be 15 provided in order to park at the right place thereby assuring that the robot arm can reach the fuel cap.

In steps (b) and (c) respectively the above mentioned second and first data signals are processed in order to generate a combined data acceptance signal for further control of the robot arm and 20 starting the fuel supply step of the refuelling procedure. In said blocks neither further indications are shown as to the 3D-position determination, nor further details for the case no acceptance signal can be generated. For said case only the possibility for finishing the procedure is shown but for those skilled in the art it will be 25 clear that alternative steps after interruption may be chosen for such a flow chart.

P In steps (d), (e) and (f) fuel is supplied by means of the robot arm operation as explained above.

In step (g) finishing or interruption of the refuelling 30 procedure is presented whereas in step (h) a further check on said procedure is carried out.

In steps (i) and (j) finishing the refuelling procedure is carried out in accordance with the data supplied. Corrections or modifications can be carried out by going for step (k), being a 35 restarting operation.

CM I 2 0 SEP 1995 V'O 249 8 In a further advantageous embodiment of the system of the present invention said communication means is communicating further refuelling procedure data. In particular data as to the amount of fuel to be supplied, or the money equivalent unto which fuel is desired can be transmitted as coded data also.

In the sequence and system shown above the refuelling procedure is carried out fully automatically. However, if certain facilities are not present, for example in the case of introduction of the fully automatic system, the system is capable to be used for the part already implemented. Correspondingly only part of the data is used then, for example only the first data signals for guiding the robot operations. Generally, for such cases system and sequence comprise slight modifications required for such conditions.

In accordance with the invention electronic circuitry for holding the above-mentioned data and to be used for communication to the above system is provided also.

The invention furthermore provides a fuel dispenser unit coupled to the above system.

Various modifications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. For example a combination of communication by means of the rear light light emitting diode and a freely movable and hand-operated service panel for infra-red communication is covered also. At least position determination has to be carried out with fixed points, i.e. for example said rear light light emitting diode. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. 249 ft

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A system for control of automatic refuelling an automotive vehicle parked alongside a fuel dispenser unit, which system comprises (a) communication means which communication means include means for operating the communication means arranged in the automotive vehicle and an electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver arranged on the automotive vehicle, and an electronic circuitry which is connected to the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver, which electronic circuitry holds data including fuel pipe and fuel cap position data; and (b) at the fuel dispenser unit, a processing unit, an electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver connected to the processing unit, operating control units connected to the processing unit for controlling fuel supply operating units and for vehicle position determination, fill pipe and fuel cap position determination, and a couple of electromagnetic wave receivers connected to the operating control unit for the vehicle position determination, wherein when the communication means is activated the electromagnetic waves emitted by the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver on the automotive vehicle are received by both the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver and the couple of electromagnetic wave receivers of the fuel dispenser unit.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver on the automotive vehicle and the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver of the fuel dispenser unit are transmitters and receivers for infra-red light waves, and wherein the couple of electromagnetic wave receivers are receivers for infra-red light waves.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the system for operating the communication means is a vehicle control means. - 14 - 249

4. System as claimed in any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the electromagnetic wave transmitter/receiver of the automotive vehicle is arranged in a rear light.

5. System as claimed in any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the system for operating the communication means is the brake pedal.

6. A system for control of automatic refuelling an automotive vehicle parked alongside a fuel dispenser unit, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. ""'